August 3, 2023

Gel Manicures Give You Cancer Now?

According to an interesting article posted on Yahoo Life Gel Manicures apparently can give you cancer.

“In order to cure, or harden, gel polish, a UV lamp is used — and a recent study published in Nature found that radiation from these lamps can cause mutations in cells that are linked to skin cancer.”

“Both melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, increase in frequency after ultraviolet light exposure,” says Dr. Maral Kibarian Skelsey, director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center in Chevy Chase, Md.

Here I am worrying about the people who are getting their lip waxed in the backroom might get herpes or some other not yet discovered disease and what we really need to worry about his a manicure potentially giving us skin cancer.

The article goes on the say, “Still, some have interpreted the recent findings — which add to a “small, growing body of research” about regular use of UV nail lamps connected with aging and cancer risk — as inconclusive regarding cancer, damage to skin cells aside.”

According to the University of Utah, “The UV (ultraviolet) lamps used to dry gel nail polish produce artificial UV radiation, similar to tanning beds or the natural UV radiation that the sun produces. UV light can damage cells and increase the risk of skin cancers, such as squamous cell and basal cell cancer. It’s important to always protect your skin.”

This be old news but it’s new to me! I never heard of this before and I just sat there thinking, “Really? Really?” I feel like everything we do lately gives us some serious disease!

Did you know gel manicures could be potentially dangerous?

9 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Dee

    I had heard that the light used at the end of a gel manicure isn’t good for you.

  • Samantha V

    I actually had only heard that recently. I think I saw a glove people can wear while getting the lamp over their nails. I’ve never had a gel mani and I prefer NYC salons that do non-toxic manicures like Sundays Studio and Less is More. I would assume that someone who has weekly gel manicures gets more UV exposure and might have a problem. My issue is that why aren’t women told these risks? Isn’t keratin treatments for hair also problematic?

    • Isabella Muse

      that’s really cool! Had no idea they do gloves for this! Yeah from my understand makes hair fall out. I guess no one cares enough to disclose it 🙁

  • Amethyst Rose

    I don’t know if this cancer thing might be true or not, but I know that gel could damage nails. Well, I use press-on nails: so no damage, no cancer and, since they can be removed quickly, more comfort.
    Anyway, this study comes from a State where right-wing Christianity is the dominant lifestyle, so I’d take this news with more than a grain of salt… 😀

  • CL

    Yes, I have heard this before. They make shielding gloves for this purpose, and of course, you can always put sunscreen on most of your hand before putting it in the light device. I don’t do gel nails often enough to worry about it.

  • F1wild

    I have Stage 4 Melanoma (in lung & brain), luckily in a holding pattern right now. So, after my initial diagnosis of Stage 3 in 1998 I became an unfortunate expert on skin cancers, specifically Melanoma.
    UV exposures, especially concentrated & prolonged, can mutate cells causing cancers. I know of over 10 patients/warriors right now being treated at my Mayo Clinic for Melanoma found under their nail after routine gel manicures. From my studies I feel the risk is considered low compared to other exposures, such as tanning beds, sun exposure.
    And dark skinned people CAN get Melanoma. Google the musician/activist Bob Marley. He died from Melanoma that started under his toe nail.
    Here’s some info:
    https://www.aad.org/news/check-nails-melanoma#:~:text=When%20checking%20your%20nails%20for,show%20up%20on%20any%20nail.

  • Moxie

    I returned my lamp and gels that I’d recently purchased as soon as I read about this a year or so ago, because I have a history of cancer in my family and it’s not worth it to me.